As I read this discussion of writing style and business correspondence, I thought of th eTurkish Astronomer parable from
The Little Prince
Quote:
This asteroid has only once been seen through the telescope. That was by a Turkish astronomer, in 1909.
On making his discovery, the astronomer had presented it to the International Astronomical Congress, in a great demonstration. But he was in Turkish costume, and so nobody would believe what he said.
Grown-ups are like that . . .
Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects, under pain of death, should change to European costume. So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance. And this time everybody accepted his report.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by uncle phil
dare i say, there is no excuse for using our language improperly...but then, what do i know, right?
|
I've been thinking this way for quite a while, but I've come to realize that language evolves; if people are able to understand it, is it necessarily wrong or is it just evolution of the language? I certainly don't think it's acceptable to use shorthand and colloquialisms in formal writing, but if it becomes part of conversational language and people use it there, maybe it isn't so bad.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
I'm the only one I know who uses semicolons in emails.
|
I've been told that I'm probably the only person alive who uses them in text messages and instant messages.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by silent_jay
Me loves my Canadian English Dictionary add-on to FF.
|
If other English-speaking countries weren't so busy adding superfluous letters to words like "honor" and "color," not to mention an entire syllable to "aluminum," you guys might be superpowers in the global political system these days.